SCORES of retirement flats could finally be built on a riverside site that has been derelict for more than three years.

Councillors are being recommended at tomorrow's Taunton Deane Borough Council planning meeting to conditionally approve the 72 flats in Wood Street, Taunton.

There would be 51 one-bedroom units and 21 two-bedroom units along with communal facilities, parking, landscaping and vehicle access from Wood Street.

A previous proposal from the applicant, Churchill Retirement Living, was turned down by the council last August.

But a report to the meeting says: "The use of the site for elderly persons' accommodation is considered an appropriate re-use of a vacant brownfield site and is acceptable in principle.

"The scheme would secure an improvement in flood defences and subject to appropriate conditions in terms of design, drainage, turning, materials and footway the scheme is considered acceptable."

If the development goes ahead, it will results in a New Homes bonus to Taunton Deane Borough Council of £466,157 and £116,539 for Somerset County Council.

The former Lidl building on the site was demolished shortly after the store closed in December 2015, when a new outlet was opened 100 metres down the road.

Lidl also owns another Taunton store in Roman Road and there is speculation it could buy the adjoining Six Acres site to allow it to expand the current premises.